| Only In Past Memories Chapter 2 Phoebus' mother, Helen , looked up from her cooking when she heard her husband come through the door. "Did you find him, dear?" Helen asked with a hint of worry in her voice. "Yes, he's safe and sound," replied her husband, "And we have a guest also." "Really? Who?" Phoebus poked out from behind his father and lead Esmeralda to Helen. She looked at Esmeralda for a moment and smiled. "Well hello. What's your name sweetie?" "Esmeralda," she said shyly. "What a cute name." Phoebus interrupted his mother. "Mama, she saved me from those guys that always pick on me and beat me up." "Well then I think she deserves a reward." Helen walked over to the stove and brought out a hot apple pie ready to be eaten. She severed the two children, then turned to her husband. "We need to talk, dear." Phoebus Sr. looked at her and headed to his study. Once inside his study, Helen started to speak. "We need to do something about those boys." "I know. But its not like I can come up to their fathers and ask them to leave him alone. They'll just pick on him more." "But something has to be done!" said Helen. Phoebus Sr. took her in his arms and hugged her. "We need to do something about this," she continued. "What with those coughing fits he has. There's no telling what might happen to him, he may even�" Helen started to cry. Phoebus Sr. hugged her tighter. "Don't think of things like that. It will never happen. He's as stubborn as a mule and twice as healthy. Plus we can't baby him forever: what he needs is a few friends�" Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Phoebus and Esmeralda were talking also. "How old are you, Esmeralda?" Phoebus asked while taking a bite. "I am thwee years old," answered Esmeralda. "That's a very nice age. I'm eight." "Did you just have your bwirthday?" asked Esmeralda. "In July," said Phoebus. "Oh, dat was two mowths ago." "Yup" They sat there in silence for awhile, when Phoebus got an idea. "We are friends, right?" "Yup." "And friends spend time with each other, right?" "I guess so." "Well if we are to be friends, then we need to spend time together," thought Phoebus, "Would you like to spend the night tonight?" "Sure!" "Okay! Let me ask my parents first." At that moment, Helen and Phoebus Sr. came in, still discussing about their son. "Mommy, daddy! Mommy, daddy!" called Phoebus, "Can Esmeralda spend the night tonight, please?!" They looked at each other, then at the kids, and back again. A smile creped up on the dad's face, but a frown on Helen's. She started to say that it wasn't a good idea, when Phoebus Sr. interrupted her. "Honey, this girl maybe the answer to our prayers. If Phoebus has a friend he won't get lonely or depressed." Helen thought for moment, but shook her head. "An answer maybe, but Frollo and about half the town wouldn't have it." "They wouldn't have to know about their friendship, and besides what's one little sleepover going to do?" "Her parents would need to know." At this Esmeralda looked up. "Don't worry 'bout what my parwents will say." "Why is that?" asked Helen. "Day died 'bout five months ago." "Oh! My goodness! Well in that case you can stay as long as you like." Helen picked her up and gave her a little hug. "I could use an extra girl around here." "Is four girls not enough for you dear?" Phoebus Sr. said with a little chuckle. "I was just saying. Besides eight kids are quite enough and plus we already have a grandchild." "Oh yes, Derek. Wasn't he going to come over tonight?" "Yes, I believe�" Esmeralda had slipped out Helen's arms and headed up stairs with Phoebus to his playroom. They played games all day long. They played horses, jacks they had found a trunk with a bunch of old clothes, and finally they played hide-n-seek. Then Helen came upstairs to tell they to wash up and get ready for dinner. They ate their dinner very quickly and went back upstairs. Phoebus Sr. came up to check on them after dessert. "I am glad to see you two are getting along so well!" Esmeralda yawned a big yawn and Phoebus Sr. rubbed his chin. "I think it's time for you two to get to bed." "No daddy! We're not sleepy," protested Phoebus. But Esmeralda lay down and fell asleep. Phoebus Sr. picked them both up and carried them to their rooms. Phoebus fell asleep as soon as he was in bed. "Good night boy," whispered Phoebus Sr. He kissed his son's forehead and went to Esmeralda's room and kissed her goodnight as well. Then he went to his own room. "They're both sound asleep, dear." "Good. Now time for us to sleep, too." Helen kissed her husband and rolled over to the other side of the bed. "Good night dear." Phoebus Sr. said and went to sleep. Copyright Sailor Esmeralda Go to Chapter 3 Back to Fanfic Back to Index |